Brisbane fans would know him as "Froggy" Lester, but the wider AFL community wouldn't know who dons the No.35 for the Lions.
Internally, Ryan Lester is spoken about with the highest regard, with teammate and great friend Dayne Zorko naming him as the best club man at Brisbane.
On Saturday night, when the whips were cracking, Lester was just that.
Tasked with the near-impossible task of guarding Jeremy Cameron alongside the litter of small Cats around goal, the 32-year-old held his nerve on more than one occasion.
Lester's preliminary final performance against Geelong was his fourth-highest-rated game (18.6) in his 14 years playing at the Lions, according toย Wheelo Ratings.
He was also the highest-rated player on the ground for Brisbane, topping the likes of matchwinners Cam Rayner, Zac Bailey and Hugh McCluggage.
Gathering 20 possessions (at 80 per cent effectiveness), nine intercepts, eight rebound 50s, five marks (three intercept marks), three tackles and 15 pressure acts.
"He's been an unsung hero for so long."
Ryan Lester was handed a big challenge against the Cats and he excelled.
Watch The Round So Far now, thanks to @AAMI: https://t.co/IpJawTIyv7 pic.twitter.com/H6bOPbxwSA
— AFL (@AFL) September 21, 2024
Albeit a modest return on the stat sheet, Lester was front and centre for every thrust Geelong threw at the Lions, which included 59 inside 50s.
But he was also the catalyst for a lot of the club's aggressive ball movement from defence, biting off dangerous kicks to open up the ground.
Ironically, Lester's career looked all but over in 2022 as form and a lack of opportunity potentially spelt the end.
However, since Round 7 last year, he's cemented his spot under Chris Fagan and is now one of the first magnets placed on the board.
But the job is far from over.
Lester's heroics was a key reason why the Lions triumphed over Geelong in the preliminary final, setting up a date with Sydney in the decider.
